U20s v Ross County
Tuesday, 5th Apr 2016SPFL Development League: Greg Morrison (4) 1-0; Conner Duthie (11) 1-1; Blair Malcolm (54) 2-1; Ross MacIver (81) 3-1
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John Potter took a young side to Dingwall for the SPFL Development League match against the Staggies on Tuesday afternoon. County manager Jim McIntyre congratulated the Pars for winning the League One title and he was congratulate for bringing the Scottish League Cup to the Highlands. Pleasances over, the Pars kicked off this their final away match of their season.
Dunfermline won a first free kick on right touchline and Paul Allan was unlucky with his header. Next Paul Joseph Crossan hit an attempt off the keeper and then Darren Moffat sent a shot over the bar at the other end.
It had been a promising start for the Fifers at the Highland Football Academy but they then suffered a setback in losing a fourth minute opener. Greg MORRISON headed home from a cross from the left. 1-0
Five minutes past before the County scorer rose to head another cross, this time sent over Cammy Gill's crossbar. There followed another dangerous cross from the left but this time it was too far for the County player. Good play on the right between James Thomas and Robbie Crawford set up Conner DUTHIE who evaded a couple of tackles to slot it away for an 11th minute equaliser. 1-1
A fine cross in by Reece Duncan put County under pressure but they cleared and then Brandon Luke had a shot but straight at keeper Chris Konopka.
On the quarter hour a free kick to County 20 yards out was deflected by the wall for a corner that Gill punched away. A long ball from Johnny Galloway for Crossan resulted in a shot but Scott Boyd blocked.
The Pars were unlucky when Duthie broke and then picked out Crossan but his low cross in was just too short for Crawford and allowed County to clear. Midway through the half, Duthie dispatched a shot over the crossbar as Dunfermline gradually came more into it.
Luck evaded Crossan when he dummied the ball for Thomas but Boyd cleared. Gill saved down low from Chris McLaughlin and from the corner on the left and Malcolm headed wide. Crossan impressed on the left but took a knock under a challenge by Boyd. After treatment he was OK to continue.
Crossan continued to be devoid of luck in 36 minutes as he was denied a cross from the left under challenge from Stephen Miller. Same happened again three minutes later only this time the defender was Boyd.
The home side won another two corners in the last five minutes of the half one from either side before great skill on the left from Crossan was ended by a foul. Duthie took the free kick and Crossan's flick was held by the big American keeper, Konopka.
Half time: Ross County 1 Dunfermline 1
There were no chances as the teams restarted but immediately the visitors' defence was called upon with Josh Robertson and then Jordan Orru dealing with potential threats. Duncan continued the defensive work heading away a cross from the right.
It took three attempts to clear a dangerous ball played in from the left but County got the goal they had chased when Blair MALCOLM headed home from a 54th minute corner. 2-1
Seeking a response Duthie broke from defence and evaded a challenge on left touchline only to be fouled in centre of County half. The home side cleared from the free kick and then on the hour mark tested Gill with a deflected shot that the 17 year old turned around low at his right hand post. The ensuing corner was cleared and from a long ball out of defence Crossan then forced a free kick 25 yards out on left side. Duthie launched the free kick in but there was just too much on it and the ball sailed over Duncan's head for goal kick
Potts then made his first substitution of the game, Owen Andrew (pictured above) replaced Luke and Thomas was pulled back to accommodate the sub upfront. Crawford got in a shot but fired high over the Ross County bar. At the other end Morrison did the same with a 71st minute chance.
A 79th minute corner to County on the left was pumped through the box and next minute the home side easily defended a free kick awarded just inside their own half after a foul on Crossan.
Just nine minutes remained when the home side extended their lead and effectively ended the contest. A low cut cross from Chris McLaughlin and sub Ross McIVER ran in in to score. 3-1
Gill saved a Moffat attempt to make it four and then Crossan won another free kick on the goal line but Thomas' effort was kept out. Duncan headed away a Moffat cross before in 89th minute Wallace replaced Moffat - sounds like a familiar Dunfermline substitution!
A low free kick from Duthie won a late a corner but the ball bounced around the box before being cleared. In the third minute of added time Crossan had the last chance to grab a consolation but his cross was ably defended.
It had been a good display from the Pars youngsters, a good game but a stronger more experienced County team won out in the end.
SUBS NOT USED: Mark Foden (GK).
SCORERS: Morrison (4), Malcolm (54), MacIver (81)
YELLOW CARD: Beeston (72)
DUNFERMLINE: Cammy Gill; Reece Duncan, Josh Robertson, Jordan Orru, Paul Allan, Brandon Luke (Owen Andrew 66), Robbie Crawford (Jack McClair 85), Johnny Galloway, Paul Joseph Crossan, James Thomas, Conner Duthie
SUBS NOT USED: Josh Dunn (GK)
SCORERS: Duthie (11)
YELLOW CARD: Duthie (68)
REFEREE: Alan Hogg
WEATHER: 10C Cloudy
ATTENDANCE
NEXT MATCH: SPFL Development League (home) v Aberdeen TBC
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